Waddell smacks grand slam, Post 77 starts long week with win

By Brittany JacksonTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Monday, June 24, 2013 at 11:09 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, June 24, 2013 at 11:09 p.m.

EAST FLAT ROCK — Two home runs and a grand slam Monday night at East Henderson translated to a big conference win for Henderson County Post 77 over visiting Haywood Post 47, 11-6, to start off Post 77's week of six games in seven days.

“You always feel good about a win, and with six games in the next seven days it's very nice to start out with a win here at home,” said Post 77 head coach Ray Gill.

Cameron Crisp got off to a slow start on the mound, giving up two walks in the first inning but those would be his only two walks. He finished off the inning with two strikeouts and closed up his three-inning pitching start with six total strikeouts, three hits and no runs for the win.

But it was Henderson County's hitting game that carried it after that.

Zack Oberlies (1-for-5) got Post 77 going with a two-run homer over the right field fence in the first, and Henderson County went up 5-0 in the bottom of the third with an RBI single by Carson Smith (3-for-5, two doubles) and then Henry Clements' (1-for-4) line drive single that scored two more.

Things got quiet again until the sixth when leadoff batter Thomas Waddell (2-for-5) blew through the ball for a grand slam and the 10-1 score.

As Haywood's pitching started to wear down in the bottom of the seventh, Post 77 loaded up the bases with no outs. Sage Cornatzer reached on a fielder's choice but Clements was out at home plate.

It was the same situation with the next at-bat and then with the bases loaded for the third time that innings, Avery Sneed's sacrifice fly effort flew out to left field to leave three runners stranded.

“We had a chance to end it right there in the seventh inning with the 10-run rule, with bases loaded and nobody out, and we didn't. No matter the situation or the score, with the bases loaded and nobody out, you've got to put up the runs there,” Gill said. “But I'm not sitting here mad or anything; it's a win and the guys will learn from that.”

Post 47 pushed the potential for a mercy rule out of sight in the eighth with a five-run inning, including a grand slam by Garrett Holland.

Noah Poteat (1-for-2) put up the final score of the night in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run before Waddell faced four batters in the ninth inning and finished things off with two strikeouts.

Now 4-8 in conference play, the rest of this week will be crucial for Post 77 to get good seeding in the playoffs. The team will be back home again tonight at 7 p.m. against Cherryville at East Henderson before having its only off-day Wednesday and two more home games Thursday and Friday.

<p><b>EAST FLAT ROCK</b> — Two home runs and a grand slam Monday night at East Henderson translated to a big conference win for Henderson County Post 77 over visiting Haywood Post 47, 11-6, to start off Post 77's week of six games in seven days. </p><p>“You always feel good about a win, and with six games in the next seven days it's very nice to start out with a win here at home,” said Post 77 head coach Ray Gill. </p><p>Cameron Crisp got off to a slow start on the mound, giving up two walks in the first inning but those would be his only two walks. He finished off the inning with two strikeouts and closed up his three-inning pitching start with six total strikeouts, three hits and no runs for the win. </p><p>But it was Henderson County's hitting game that carried it after that. </p><p>Zack Oberlies (1-for-5) got Post 77 going with a two-run homer over the right field fence in the first, and Henderson County went up 5-0 in the bottom of the third with an RBI single by Carson Smith (3-for-5, two doubles) and then Henry Clements' (1-for-4) line drive single that scored two more. </p><p>Things got quiet again until the sixth when leadoff batter Thomas Waddell (2-for-5) blew through the ball for a grand slam and the 10-1 score. </p><p>As Haywood's pitching started to wear down in the bottom of the seventh, Post 77 loaded up the bases with no outs. Sage Cornatzer reached on a fielder's choice but Clements was out at home plate. </p><p>It was the same situation with the next at-bat and then with the bases loaded for the third time that innings, Avery Sneed's sacrifice fly effort flew out to left field to leave three runners stranded. </p><p>“We had a chance to end it right there in the seventh inning with the 10-run rule, with bases loaded and nobody out, and we didn't. No matter the situation or the score, with the bases loaded and nobody out, you've got to put up the runs there,” Gill said. “But I'm not sitting here mad or anything; it's a win and the guys will learn from that.” </p><p>Post 47 pushed the potential for a mercy rule out of sight in the eighth with a five-run inning, including a grand slam by Garrett Holland. </p><p>Noah Poteat (1-for-2) put up the final score of the night in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run before Waddell faced four batters in the ninth inning and finished things off with two strikeouts. </p><p>Now 4-8 in conference play, the rest of this week will be crucial for Post 77 to get good seeding in the playoffs. The team will be back home again tonight at 7 p.m. against Cherryville at East Henderson before having its only off-day Wednesday and two more home games Thursday and Friday.</p>